The door is open for Arsenal to complete an important summer signing, but the Gunners will have to win a \u201cmassive scramble\u201d with several of their Premier League rivals to get the deal done.<\/p>\n
Mikel Arteta has been told that RB Leipzig centre-back Castello Lukeba will leave the club in the summer.<\/p>\n
While on the face of things, Arsenal seem well covered in this role, the manager sees Ricardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie, who they are expected to sign on a permanent basis, primarily as left-backs. He wants a specialist left-sided central defender to help cover for William Saliba and Gabriel, with Lukeba earmarked as a candidate for this spot in the squad.<\/p>\n
Lukeba put up for sale for \u20ac57.5m, Arsenal told<\/h2>\n
Arsenal have been \u201cformally notified\u201d of the availability of Lukeba along with his other suitors, according to a report from TeamTalk<\/i><\/b><\/a>.<\/p>\n It is claimed that Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United are all interested in signing the 23-year-old. Tottenham also see the defender as a potential replacement for Mickey van de Ven, should he leave in the summer.<\/p>\n With Lukeba regarded as \u201cone of the most in-demand defenders\u201d in Europe, a huge battle is set to erupt for the player.<\/p>\n Although he has a release clause worth \u20ac80 million (\u00a370m), it is reported that business could be conducted around the \u20ac57.5m (\u00a350m) mark.<\/p>\n Lukeba has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of \u20ac44.2m, but has reached as high as \u20ac63.5m in his career, suggesting that there could be value to be found for a buying club at Leipzig\u2019s revised rate.<\/p>\n The Bundesliga club approach this deal from a position of some strength. Lukeba is under contract until 2029, while the Red Bull-owned side are under no pressure to sell.<\/p>\n They are aiming to allow one star player to depart this summer, and if their demands are not met, they could reassess the situation and allow Yan Diomande to depart, although it\u2019s clear they would prefer the in-demand winger to remain at the club<\/b>.<\/p>\n Lukeba appears set to be forced into a trade-off this summer. If he wants to go to a big club, it is unlikely that he will get much playing time \u2013 and Arsenal are included in this.<\/p>\n The Gunners are seen as a solid match for him by data analytics firm SciSports, which gives the North London side a Club Fit of 73 for the former Lyon youngster. This is calculated by AI around several factors, including potential development, game time, style and formation.<\/p>\n A move to the Emirates is certainly seen as beneficial to Lukeba reaching his full potential, but there are understandably major concerns over game time but more surprisingly with Arteta\u2019s formation.<\/p>\n This is, therefore, a deal that may suit Arsenal more than the player and given the volume of offers the centre-back is expected to field this summer, it\u2019s going to take a strong pitch from the Premier League leaders to secure his future.<\/p>\n Arsenal ready to back Arteta with \u20ac280m triple deal<\/b><\/p>\n Transfer Rumours: Liverpool and Real Madrid open talks over stunning Camavinga swap deal<\/b><\/p>\n Check out FootballTransfers’ new app for all of football’s big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.<\/p>\n The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:<\/p>\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>
Arteta needs to turn on the charm<\/h2>\n
<\/source><\/source><\/picture>
Related stories:<\/h2>\n
The FootballTransfers app <\/h2>\n